Teenager jailed for 10 and a half years for acid attacks on moped riders

Derryck John, 17, in a Texeco petrol station, as he has been jailed at Wood Green Crown Court for 10-and-a-half years for carrying out a spate of acid attacks against moped riders in a bid to steal their vehicles. Photo credit: Metropolitan Police/PA

A 17-year-old boy has been jailed for 10 and a half years for carrying out a spate of "despicable" acid attacks against moped riders.

Derryck John, from Croydon, south London, targeted six riders in a bid to steal their vehicles in the north and east of the capital in less than 90 minutes on July 13 last year.

Derryck John, 17, from Croydon, south London, who has been jailed at Wood Green Crown Court for 10-and-a-half years for carrying out a spate of acid attacks against moped riders in a bid to steal their vehicles. Photo credit: Metropolitan Police/PA

"This is the second major corrosive fluid case I have had to deal with in the past three months," he said.

The judge added: "It is clear to me that the carrying and use of corrosive liquids is rapidly becoming a serious and growing problem in London and in particular, in this part of London.

"So too are crimes committed using scooters."

Last month, John pleaded guilty to six counts of throwing a corrosive liquid with intent to "disable, burn, maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm", two counts of robbery and four counts of attempted robbery.

Another unidentified person is listed on the indictment as also having been involved in the attacks.

John earlier denied the charges and had been due to stand trial.

Last month, Judge Lucas, reading a note from the defendant, said the guilty pleas were entered "on the basis that the acid was thrown to incapacitate the victims" and that "the other male involved was much older than me".

Ramesh Patel, of the CPS, said: "Derryck John claimed he was not involved in these attacks.

"CCTV from a petrol station was key to his identification and conviction.

"He was filmed stepping off a stolen Vespa scooter, lifting his motorcycle helmet and revealing his face.

"That evidence, alongside further material including CCTV of Derryck John wearing the same clothes and shoes during the other attacks, led to his guilty pleas on the first day of trial.

"One of the victims has lost 30% of his eyesight which he will never recover.

"Others described searing pain and burning at the time and have been forced to leave their jobs as a result of their injuries.

"Had they not been wearing helmets all of the victims' injuries could have been much more serious.

"Our thoughts are with them as John now faces the consequences of his appalling actions."

Earlier reporting restrictions had banned identification of the defendant due to his age.

But judge Lucas told the court last month that there was an "overwhelming, huge public interest" in identifying the teenager after he pleaded guilty to 12 counts.

In December, Arthur Collins, the ex-boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann, was handed a two decades-long prison term, after a brutal nightclub acid attack.